Admin NV

Scott Faulkner

Executive Director
Reno Chamber Orchestra
Reno, Nevada
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Years in current position: 8
Years in the field: 9

Majors:
B.A. Music, Pacific Lutheran University
M.M. Music Peformance-Double Bass, University of Nevada, Reno

Additional Training:
Essentials of Orchestra Management, League of American Orchestras

Career Path:
Instructor, University of Nevada, Reno 
Artistic Operations Manager, Reno Chamber Orchestra 
Bassist

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The variety. The fact that most of the job is relating to people.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
As an orchestral musician, it was a natural fit for me. And when I needed a job, this one came open. It  then evolved from artistic operations manager into executive director.

Looking back, would you do anything differently?
Had I known this would be where I’d end up I probably would have taken a few business classes, so I would have had a better handle on nuts-and-bolts issues. The music side of things has never been a problem because of my background.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
I think the League’s Essentials and Orchestra Management Fellowship programs are a terrific way to test the water. Orchestra managers are open and happy to talk, so I would pick the brains of a number of managers you know and respect.

Any other advice?
It is a tough but rewarding field. Sometimes I wonder if I have thick-enough skin. It can be exhausting to try and appease/please so many constituents. My last piece of advice is that the job seems to be the most rewarding when my focus is at its most noble. When my goal is nothing less than making the world better, I’m happy and things click. When I get too business oriented, it’s much worse.